Introduction: Oh how time flies when you are
fishing. It has been six seasons ago since we first news of a new
casting reel that was about to REVO-lutionize the low profile market. It is no
secret that these reels have found great success from both the media and
anglers. These reels have been such a success that they effectively put Abu
Garcia in the spotlight for more than just their popular conventional round
reels. Looking to build on that solid foundation Abu Garcia is poised to re-REVOlutionize
the market yet again with newly redesigned Revo casting reels which will be
available Fall 2012.

Revo Premier Casting: The current
generation of Revo Premier reels are already a hallmark of performance and
ergonomics when it comes to a non-magnesium based ultralight reel, weighing in
at only 6.7 ounces. The new 2013 Revo Premier pushes the envelope even further
and the team at Abu Garcia shaved
almost a full ounce off of the reel making it only 5.87 ounces. The new reel is
more compact and thanks to the use of the advanced C6 carbon sideplates and
carbon fiber handle with EVA knobs, Abu is able to produce a reel below 6
ounces without making performance sacrifices.

Additional features include a new wider Infini II
spool for improved casting performance without increasing the width of the reel,
an X2-Craftic allow frame for better corrosion resistance and rigidness, a new
next generation Duragear called D2 Gear System for better power and efficiency,
and an upgraded braking system called the Infinitely Variable Centrifugal Break
(IVCB-IV) which is the same system used on the awesome Revo MGX.

Model

Gear
Ratio

IPT

Line
Cap (mono)

Line
Cap (braid)

Weight
(oz)

Handle

Max
Drag (lbs)

Revo Premier

RV03PRM

6.4:1

26

12 lbs/145 yds

30 lbs/140 yds

5.87

Right

20

RV03PRM-L

6.4:1

26

12 lbs/145 yds

30 lbs/140 yds

5.87

Left

20

One thing that we are glad they didn't change is
the drag system. This new reel still uses the Carbon Matrix drag system with multiple discs
for a strong yet smooth drag performance. The new Revo Premier, available in
right and left hand retrieve, will have a retail price of $299.95 in the Fall of
2012.

Revo STX Casting: Every Revo reel is
getting lighter in this next generation series and the new Revo STX sees a weight reduction of over 2.5 ounces, a 29% weight shavings compared to
the previous model. You can attribute the weight reduction to the similar design
features as what is being implemented in the Revo Premier.

The Revo STX has the same set of features as the
Premier such as the EVA knobs but with a metal handle versus the carbon fiber one
you would find on the Premier, same number of HPCR bearings (10), X2-Craftic
alloy frame, C6 carbon sideplates, D2 Gear Design, Infini II spool design, but
when it comes to cast control it uses Infini brakes which is a combination of magnetic and centrifugal brake
systems.

Model

Gear
Ratio

IPT

Line
Cap (mono)

Line
Cap (braid)

Weight
(oz)

Handle

Max
Drag (lbs)

Revo STX

RV03STX

6.4:1

26

12 lbs/145 yds

30 lbs/140 yds

6.35

Right

20

RV03STX-L

6.4:1

26

12 lbs/145 yds

30 lbs/140 yds

6.35

Left

20

RV03STX-HS

7.1:1

29

12 lbs/145 yds

30 lbs/140 yds

6.35

Right

20

RV03STX-HS-L

7.1:1

29

12 lbs/145 yds

30 lbs/140 yds

6.35

Left

20

RV03STX-SHS

8.0:1

33

12 lbs/145 yds

30 lbs/140 yds

5.87

Right

20

The Revo STX is offered in a wide range of gear
ratios, 6.4:1, 7.1:1, and super high speed 8.0:1. The new Revo STX will be sold
for a retail price of $199.95.

Revo SX Casting: Again, using a similar
design, the new Revo SX will also receive a weight reduction of over 2 ounces.
It uses the same X2-Craftic alloy frame design, D2 Gear Design, and the durable
but lightweight C6 carbon sideplates.

The stealthy looking Revo SX gets an all magnetic braking system
called the MagTrax. The MagTrax system allows you to externally adjust the
braking power needed by moving the magnets closer or further away from the
spool. This mainstream workhorse will retail for $159.95.

Model

Gear
Ratio

IPT

Line
Cap (mono)

Line
Cap (braid)

Weight
(oz)

Handle

Max
Drag (lbs)

Revo SX

RV03SX

6.4:1

26

12 lbs/145 yds

30 lbs/140 yds

6.66

Right

20

RV03SX-L

6.4:1

26

12 lbs/145 yds

30 lbs/140 yds

6.66

Left

20

RV03SX-HS

7.1:1

29

12 lbs/145 yds

30 lbs/140 yds

6.66

Right

20

RV03SX-HS-L

7.1:1

29

12 lbs/145 yds

30 lbs/140 yds

6.66

Left

20

Revo S Casting: The improved design is
shared even with the lowest of the Revo series giving it a 15% weight reduction
from the previous model. The Revo S which retails for only $129.95 gets the
X2-Craftic alloy frame and D2 Gear Design. The difference is that this
aggressively priced Revo uses 7
stainless steel ball bearings plus 1 roller bearing, graphite sideplates, and
the "Pitch"
centrifugal brake system which uses 6 brake blocks (3 spring loaded and 3 non
spring loaded). The spring loaded brake blocks act only when the spool is under
high revolution (1st part of the cast) and will then disengage to give maximum
distance. The non spring loaded brake blocks act on the entire cast to give
maximum control throughout the cast.

Model

Gear
Ratio

IPT

Line
Cap (mono)

Line
Cap (braid)

Weight
(oz)

Handle

Max
Drag (lbs)

Revo S

RV03S

6.4:1

26

12 lbs/145 yds

30 lbs/140 yds

7.44

Right

20

RV03S-L

6.4:1

26

12 lbs/145 yds

30 lbs/140 yds

7.44

Left

20

Revo Winch Casting: One of my favorite
reels when I need sheer power is the "Winch" Revo Series which is great for deep cranking or
tossing large high resistant baits thanks to the low 5.4:1 gear ratio. Like
the Revo siblings this reel will benefit from all the good traits such as the D2 Gear Design,
X2-Craftic alloy frame, C6 carbon sideplates, and the Carbon Matrix drag system
resulting in a weight reduction of 19% over the previous Winch.

Anglers will find a longer handle with larger EVA
knobs for improved power and comfort and the new Revo Winch will utilize the Infini
brake system which is composed of both centrifugal and magnetic brake systems. Eight
stainless steel ball bearings are used for this powerful reel and unfortunately
anglers will have to wait all the way until December 2012 for the Winch and it will retail for $199.95.

Model

Gear
Ratio

IPT

Line
Cap (mono)

Line
Cap (braid)

Weight
(oz)

Handle

Max
Drag (lbs)

Revo Winch

RV03WNCH

5.4:1

22

12 lbs/180 yds

30 lbs/180 yds

6.91

Right

20

RV03WNCH-L

5.4:1

22

12 lbs/180 yds

30 lbs/180 yds

6.91

Left

20

Revo Inshore Casting: The Revo Inshore is
designed to be the perfect crossover reel capable of fishing for bass or inshore
saltwater. This corrosion resistant reel has all the new components including
X2-Craftic alloy frame, D2 Gear Design, C6 carbon sideplates, Carbon Matrix
drag, and HPCR ball bearings.

The new Revo Inshore also has the larger handle and EVA knobs like
the Winch and the Pitch Centrifugal braking system like the Revo S. And because
of the new design, you have a more compact body but still able to gain more line
capacity than the previous model which is crucial for
saltwater vertical jigging or simply fighting larger species. Most impressive is the weight reduction on this bad
boy. From 8.5 ounces to only 6.73 ounces! Available in December of this year,
this new Inshore reel will sell for $249.95.

Model

Gear
Ratio

IPT

Line
Cap (mono)

Line
Cap (braid)

Weight
(oz)

Handle

Max
Drag (lbs)

Revo Inshore

RV03INS

7.1:1

29

12 lbs/180 yds

30 lbs/180 yds

6.73

Right

20

Conclusion: It has been six seasons since Abu
Garcia brought us the first series of Revo reels. It was an introduction that
took competitors surprise and the market by storm. No longer was Abu just that
round reel maker, overnight they became a contender in the low profile
baitcaster market. Over the years the line was further refined and the Revo
Series is now known for performance, refinement and excellent ergonomics. This time around Abu Garcia could be doing
it once again with a re-REVOlution of the entire Revo series of reels from the
Premier to Inshore. Most of the reels get a major weight reduction thanks to the
use for durable C6 carbon sideplates and X2-Craftic alloy framing material.
Further performance enhancements come from the use of their new D2 Gear Design
and leveraging the vertical braking system already used on the high-end Revo MGX.
Abu Garcia gets things kicked off this season in advance of ICAST, let the reel
REVOlution begin!